A 50-year-old man who attacked his wife with a saucepan and poured boiling water over her has pleaded guilty to attempted murder, with a judge warning that a life sentence may be considered.
Louden Chagona, of Snaefell Avenue, Tuebrook, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after previously denying the charge. He had been scheduled to stand trial next month, but his barrister, John Rowan, asked for the case to be reopened for a fresh plea.
Chagona subsequently changed his plea to guilty. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Friday, November 13.
During the brief hearing, Chagona, who wore a navy blue fleece and was assisted by an interpreter, was told by Judge Stuart Driver KC that he would appear by video for sentencing.
The judge said the case was very serious and that a substantial sentence would be imposed.
After Chagona was taken to the cells, Judge Driver told his barrister that “life imprisonment and extended sentences” would have to be considered.
The court had previously heard that Chagona struck his wife, Abigail Chinorwadza, eight times on the head with a saucepan during the attack. He then poured boiling water over her as she lay injured on the floor.
Chinorwadza suffered serious head injuries and burns to her arm. She was taken to hospital after paramedics found her with significant injuries. Her condition was initially described as critical but stable, although she was later discharged as an inpatient.
Photographs of the saucepan taken at the scene showed it covered in blood and bent out of shape. Blood was also found on the kitchen floor.
Merseyside Police were called to the property shortly before 7.30am on Sunday, May 17, following reports that a woman had been assaulted.
Chagona is understood to have arrived in the United Kingdom from Zimbabwe with the couple’s young daughter about three weeks before the incident. Chinorwadza had already been living in the UK for several years.
Evidence previously heard by the court indicated that the attack followed an argument during which a tuna sandwich was thrown at Chagona.
The incident prompted a major police response on the normally quiet residential street, with forensic officers working at the property and a white tent erected as investigations were carried out.
One neighbour said there had been banging and shouting from around 4am before another resident began knocking on the door at about 7am.
Another resident described the incident as unusual for the area, saying blood could be seen on a wall behind the front door when they returned home.
Chagona will remain in custody until November 13, when Liverpool Crown Court is expected to determine his sentence for the attempted murder.
